GB2194897A - Board game - Google Patents

Abstract

A board game comprises a board (2) having two playing zones, one (4) representing a journey from home to a resort and the other (6) the holiday activities available at the resort, at least two playing pieces (24) capable of being moved with respect to the playing zones, and a dice for determining the extent and direction of the movement of said playing pieces. There are also provided points awarded devices in the form of postcards (26) and adapted to enchance a player's score, and a turn-limiting means comprises a clock device (34), wherein each round of turns is recorded as an interval of time, wherein the first one of said playing zones represents a train journey to be traversed by said playing pieces within a multiple of said time intervals equivalent to one "day" and the second one of said zones represents a series of holiday activities visited by the playing pieces in order for the player to acquire postcards. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Board game The invention relates to a board game. In particular, it is concerned with a board game for two or more players in which the players skill and judgement is exercised against a background of chance circumstances.

The invention provides a board game for two or more players taking turns to play, comprising a board having a plurality of playing zones, at least two playing pieces capable of being moved with respect to the playing zones, each said playing piece being provided with a characteristic capable of distinguishing that playing piece from another playing piece, means for determining the extent of the movement of said playing pieces, points awarding devices adapted to enhance a players score, and a turn-limiting means comprising a clock device wherein each round of turns is recorded as an interval of time, wherein a first one of said playing zones represents a journey to be traversed by said playing pieces within a multiple of said time intervals and a second one of said zones represents a series of target regions to be entered by the playing pieces in order for the player to acquire points awarding devices.

Preferably, the playing pieces may be from two to six in number, distinguished from one another by characteristics of colour, the movement determining means for the pieces comprises dice, and the points awarding device may be cards, at least some of which bear markings identifiable with said target areas.

Advantageously, the game may be provided with tokens, the judicious use of which by the players may influence the passage of the playing pieces in said zones.

In an example of a game described below, the first zone represents a train journey from a "home" area to a "hotel" area, and the second zone represents a "resort" area including activity regions to be visited in the "resort" in which the hotel is situated.

The example of a game according to the invention is now described with reference to the drawings. It will be understood that the description is given by way of example only and not by way of limitation.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a layout of the board showing playing zones, a time-limiting device and target regions; Figure 2 illustrates one of the playing pieces; Figures 3 and 4 shows tokens and points awarding devices respectively; and Figure 5 shows one points awarding device in detail.

Figure 1 illustrates the layout of the board 2, showing a first playing zone 4 and a second playing zone 6. The first zone 4 includes a home area 8 and alternative circuitous routes 10,12 to railway station S1 and S3 respectively. Adjacent each route 10.12 are a plurality of activity regions 14 and a ticket office region 16. Markings representing railway lines 18 link the station S1 to station S2 and the station S3 to station S4. Stations S2 and S4 are adjacent a hotel area 20 which forms part of the playing zone 6.

Zone 6 incudes a further group of activity regions 22. These regions 22, as with activity regions 14, may be visited only as indicated when a player throws a dice to move a playing piece 24 (Figure 2) through a number of squares in tracks 28 (in zone 6) as determined by the dice. Where the track forms a junction, skill may be excercised to select the path for the player's playing piece 24 which will enable the greatest number of activity regions to be visited.

Each activity region 14, 22 is given a separate identity, for example, band concert, donkey ride, buffet, fishing and a number of points awarding devices 26, Figure 4 in the form of miniature postcards in the present example, are associated with each activity.

Players able to visit any activity collect an appropriate card 26 and add to their score the number of bonus points depicted thereon (Figure 5).

Certain activity regions may only be visited at restricted times. The presence of restrictions is indicated by squares F in the tracks 28. Cards held at a forecast position 32 on the board must be consulted to see whether an activity is available at a prevailing time. The means for assessing the prevailing time are described below.

Tokens 30 in the forms of imitation coins are also provided for each player with the facility to use these to improve his playing position in the use of travel facilities such as are afforded when a player s playing piece 24 (hereinafter referred to as a character 24) lands on a square T in the tracks 28 or to pay for each activity in which he "partakes", as indicated at each region 22.

Landing on a square T entitles the player to choose whether to purchase a Tramcar card with a token and on his next turn to move direct to any other square T which is unoccupied counting from that square, or to ignore the opportunity if he prefers. The Tramcar card is valid for one "day" only, but may be used more than once if the player's piece 24 lands on a further square T.

Squares S in the tracks 28 represent "surprises", the nature of which is revealed by inspecting one of further points awarding devices 26.

Players take turns to throw the dice and the number of rounds of throws is monitored by the progress of a clock device 34 with a movable hour hand 36. The position of the hand is altered after each round and indicates the prevailing time as mentioned above with respect to the forecast cards at 32.

The game progesses according to the following rules: Preparations for play It should first be ensured that all the postcards 26 are in place and that the forecast, tramcar and surprise cards are in position with a forecast card displayed in position 32. Each player selects a coloured character 24 and places it on a square adjacent the home area 8. Tokens are issued to the players and the clock device is set at 8 a.m. for the start of play.

The order of play is decided by each player in turn throwing the dice. The player with the highest score starting. When it is his turn to throw the dice in play a player has three options, to move forward, to move backwards or to remain on the same square and forfeit the throw.

If the player throws a six he is permitted to throw again and having done this, he then has the option of using either number first whichever is the most advantageous.

Flexibility in the game is achieved by the judicious spending of the tokens for example, a player can buy "a one square adjustment" per throw at a cost of one unit. Only one character may occupy a square although a player may move his character through the square on which another character stands.

In-play procedure Starting with the clock set at 8 a.m. the object is to travel from the home area 8 and arrive at the hotel area 20 before sufficient rounds of throws have been completed for the clock to reach midnight. The journey must be made by the booking office area 16 where each player must purchase a postcard which doubles as a return ticket to be used on the journey and the return stages. The player then proceeds to the indicated station and collects a station postcard 26. On the reverse of the postcard there will be found directions for the train journey to the hotel area 20. Bearing in mind that the player shouid arrive by "midnight" various bonus activity areas 14 may be visited on the way.

Arrival at the hotel area 20 is rewarded by a postcard 26 also adding to the player s bonus points. Should a player fail to reach the hotel area by the appointed time, a scale of penalties is brought into operation restricting his start time for the following stage. This stage represents activities at a resort area in zone 6 of the board.

Again, starting from the hotel area 20, the object is to visit as many activities 22 and collects as many postcards 26 as possible returning to the hotel area 20 before the clock device 34 registers midnight. The clock device may be started at 8 a.m. as many times as desired representing a number of days stay in a holiday resort.

When it is desired to bring the game to its closing stages the players are required to travel from the hotel area 20 to the home area 8 in one period of 8 a.m. to midnight. For each player, the return journey is made through the same stations as on the outward journey and upon reaching the relevant station each player collects another station postcard 26, although not required to call again at the booking office area 16, the player may visit any of the activity areas 14 if the number of tokens remaining to him and time permit.

Entry to the home area 8 rewards the player with a home postcard 26. If a player fails to return by midnight he forfeits the postcard and also sustains further penalties by which points are deducted from his final score. The winner of the game is the player with the highest number of bonus points after deductions have been made for unused tokens and missed time limits.

Various modifications may be made within the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.

Claims (12)

1. A board game for two or more players taking turns to play, comprising a board having a plurality of playing zones, at least two playing pieces capable of being moved with respect to the playing zones, each said playing piece being provided with a characteristic capable of distinguishing that playing piece from another playing piece, means for determining the extent of the movement of said playing pieces, points awarding devices adapted to enhance a player s score, and a turn-limiting means comprising a clock device wherein each round of turns is recorded as an interval of time, wherein a first one of said playing zones represents a journey to be traversed by said playing pieces within a multiple of said time intervals and a second one of said zones represents a series of target regions to be entered by the playing pieces in order for the player to acquire points awarding devices.

2. A game as claimed in claim 1, wherein there are provided between two and six playing pieces.

3. A game as claimed in claim 2, wherein the playing pieces are distinguished from one another by characteristics of colour.

4. A game as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the means for determining the extent of the movement of the playing pieces are dice.

5. A game as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the points awarding devices are in the form of cards, at least some of which bear markings identifiable with said target areas.

6. A game as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, tokens in the form of imitation coins, said tokens being usable to influence the passage of playing pieces in said playing zones.

7. A game as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first playing zone represents a journey from a home area to a hotel area, and the second playing zone represents a resort activity area.

8. A game as claimed in claim 7 wherein the journey is a train journey.

9. A game as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the clock device has an hour hand movable after each round of play.

10. A game as claimed in claim 9, wherein the clock is set to a predetermined hour at intervals during the play, said predetermined time representing the commencement of a new session in said play.

11. A game as claimed in claim 10, wherein points awarding devices are accrued during each session of play by movement of playing pieces within the second playing zone which represents a resort activity area.

12. A board game for two or more players constructed arranged and adapted to be played substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the drawings.